Try, tri again

We begin this weeks report with The Harwich Sprint Triathlon. Starting from Dovercourt and roaming through the villages of Ramsey, Wrabness, Wix and Great Oakley. An indoor swim of 300 metres, precedes 24kilometres on the bike before finishing with a 5k run along the promenade. Great Bentley’s very own Joe Alexander, kept supporters on the edge with a nail-biting performance. Drubbing Simon Day from the Royal Navy Tri team into second place by just one second! Alexander’s splits were swim; 3 minutes 57 seconds (transition 1=.33s) bike; 45m 28s (transition 2=.33s) run; 16m 32s, giving a total time of 1 hour 7 minutes 3 seconds. Although Day was faster over the swim and bike phases, he was let down by his run and both transitions. Sam Godden landing 37th place overall and third lady to finish in a total time of 1hr 23m 13s. Godden’s splits were, swim; 4m 55s bike; 55m 28s run; 20m 37s,separated by the two transitions of 1m 5s and 1m 8s. Also participating were Anna Mills,1h 26m 25s, Brian Telford, 1hr 27m 42s, Tricia Stacey, 1hr 29m 48s and Lorna Sharp 1hr 32m 26s. Competing in their first triathlon were Lesley and Andy Fuller, solid performances from them both saw them finish in 1hr 34m 11s and 1hr 34m 53s respectively.

The annual Mersea Round the Island race was held on Sunday. Organised by the Mersea Island Lions, this half marathon(ish) distance sees runners traverse along the sea wall over sandy beach, road and rabbit holes. An eccentric and very quirky route, it passes through local landmarks which include The Monkey Steps, Oyster beds,The Strood, Oyster factory and moated church of St Edmund, King and Martyr. Bradwell nuclear power station can also be seen. Although official results have yet to be published, finishing in just over 1hr 35m was David Wright. Mike Belton was not too far off with 1hr 49m 58s and John Bush in 2hrs 40m 12s.

Sunday also saw two five mile events take place. Clacton seafront was the venue for The Maisie 5 which is a charity race in aid of The East Anglia Children’s Hospice. Several members of the club turned out in support including Davina Swindell, Shawn and Harrison Leek, Louise Reeve and Linzi Iddon. This years winner was Russ Sharp in 31m 9s. Over in Capel St Mary the Capel Cheetahs were putting Karen Skene and Mark Ross through their paces. Clive Thomas was also running, again sacrificing his own race to pace another to their PB goal. Skene, comfortably completed the course to win her age category, whilst Ross was awarded a bonus prize.

Saturday saw Colchester Parkrun return after a week off. Charlie Keitch, Shawn Leek, Chusa Batista and Lee Clarkson appeared to be using this as a sensible recovery run after Endure 24 last weekend. Scott Young triumphed over Paul Hollidge in a time of 24m 47s to Hollidges’ 25m 39s. Caroline Searle laid down yet another strong performance, achieving 26m 6s.

Haughley Park was the venue for the fourth of the Friday five series. Three delegates from Bentley turned out. First in for the club with a time of 41m 56s was Claire Groves, followed by husband Luke in 50m 53s. John Bush concluded the line up with 51m 34s. Great Bentley will entertain the closing race of the season on the 3rd July. To enter https://gbrc.org.uk/our-races/great-bentley-friday-5/

Neighbouring town of Harwich held the third race of five in their 5k summer series. Once again GBRC were out in force. Starting from the rugby club, this traffic free flat course is popular to many. Currently in second place is Bentley’s Keith Oakley. Paul Hollidge, Kevin James, Scott Young and Brian Telford all finishing in under twenty three minutes. Vicki Law was the first Bentley lady home in 25m 36s. Louise Reeve held John Bush off by six seconds with 27m 21s to 27m 37s.